Britain has assured India of its determination to bring the perpetrators of attack on retired Lt Gen KS Brar to justice and said it will continue updating Indian officials about the investigations in the case.

In a letter to external affairs minister SM Krishna, British secretary
of state for foreign and commonwealth office William Hague conveyed his "shock" at the attack on Brar in London on September 30 and hoped for his "quick recovery".

Following India taking the matter of the attack strongly with the UK authorities through diplomatic channels, Krishna has received a communication from Hague, official sources said in New Delhi.

"Secretary Hague assured the external affairs minister of the determination of the UK Government to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice and also informed him that UK officials will continue to keep Indian officials up to date, as the investigation progresses further," the sources said.

Brar, who had led 'Operation Blue Star' in 1984 to flush out pro-Khalistan militants from the Golden Temple, was stabbed in an attack by four unidentified men in Old Quebec Street near Oxford Street in London last Sunday. Following the attack, he was taken to hospital with a neck wound and has since been discharged.

Brar was on a private visit when he was attacked by the four men, suspected to be Khalistan sympathisers. Brar's wife, who was present at the time of the attack, was not injured.

The four men who attacked Brar were described as being of Asian appearance, all with long beards, and were wearing dark clothing and long black jackets.

Brar has since left London and is in Mumbai.

12 arrests have also been made in connection with the attack and of these, barring three men, the Scotland Yard has released on bail nine persons, including two women.